bearing 1 of 3

Definition of bearingnext
1
2
3

bearing

2 of 3

adjective

bearing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of bear
1
2
3
4
5
as in carrying
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the wooden bridge will only bear one truck at a time

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
9
10
as in packing
to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

Synonyms & Similar Words

11
as in leading
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the path will bear north after that marked tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

12
13
14
15
as in yielding
to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun bearing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bearing are carriage, demeanor, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of bearing?

The meanings of carriage and bearing largely overlap; however, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When could demeanor be used to replace bearing?

The synonyms demeanor and bearing are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When might deportment be a better fit than bearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to bearing, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

In what contexts can manner take the place of bearing?

While the synonyms manner and bearing are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to bearing?

The words mien and bearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

How does the noun bearing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bearing are carriage, demeanor, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of bearing?

The meanings of carriage and bearing largely overlap; however, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When could demeanor be used to replace bearing?

The synonyms demeanor and bearing are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When might deportment be a better fit than bearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to bearing, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

In what contexts can manner take the place of bearing?

While the synonyms manner and bearing are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to bearing?

The words mien and bearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

How does the noun bearing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bearing are carriage, demeanor, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of bearing?

The meanings of carriage and bearing largely overlap; however, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When could demeanor be used to replace bearing?

The synonyms demeanor and bearing are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When might deportment be a better fit than bearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to bearing, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

In what contexts can manner take the place of bearing?

While the synonyms manner and bearing are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to bearing?

The words mien and bearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bearing
Noun
Hellerstein retorted in one exchange with the prosecutor, questioning how the Maduros’ ability to pay their lawyers had any bearing on national security. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 Scott dismissed Tuesday’s election results in Florida as having no bearing on the GOP’s midterm fate. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Our own California native coral bells (Heuchera) have been bred for deep purple, verging on black, foliage in cultivars bearing names such as Black Forest and Black Pearl. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 Add edible fruit bearing trees, shrubs and vines to the landscape. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • Size now matters less, and success will be determined by relevance to consumers and capital markets, according to the consultancy firm.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The aircraft’s modular design and open avionics architecture allow for rapid integration of new capabilities, ensuring continued relevance.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The close relationship between Lewandowski and Noem drew scrutiny.
    Nate Raymond, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • As of Saturday, police said the motive and the suspect's relationship to the victim were unknown.
    Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Travel experts share key etiquette tips — from greetings to restaurant behavior — to help visitors blend in while exploring Paris.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Lawyers for the church argue that Morris’ agreements with the church preclude him from those benefits if he was fired or resigned because of immoral behavior.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Juliet Kirby is also co-producing.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Many that remain are adopting an array of strategies, from programming more conservatively to cost-cutting by co-producing, to hold on.
    Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Parents love having an easy, reusable activity for restaurants, travel days, sleepovers or quiet time at home.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Blue Owl, which is unique in having two of these nontraded private credit funds, is also among the last to report redemptions.
    Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The bathrooms typically feature standing showers but the suite is home to a bathtub.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The season starts with 16 single contestants, and the last couple standing not only leaves the boat with a new boo, but gets a $100,000 trip around the world.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
  • In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.
    Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Fans heading to Coors Field in Denver this season can expect more than baseball.
    Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Return to Earth and splashdown After the lunar flyby, the crew will spend several days heading back to Earth while continuing to conduct deep-space tests, including evaluations of power systems, thermal controls, and crew operations far beyond low Earth orbit.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bearing

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster